09/13/2013

Buying A Voice: Global Crossing Ad

In our first "Buying a Voice"
of the gubernatorial campaign we take a close look at an ad already generating
some controversy.

The ad paid for by Republican Ken Cuccinelli's
campaign for governor takes aim at a business deal from his opponent Terry McAuliffe's
past- Global Crossing.

The ad features former employees
of the company that the Democrat McAuliffe invested $100 thousand in-- but saw
a return in the millions of dollars- anywhere from $8 million to $18 million.

But while McAuliffe and
others made money- the company itself went belly up leaving many-- like those
featured in ad without a job.

"I got walked out and
that was it,” said Deb Goehring in the ad. “My career was over."

The problem is the two of
the three stars of the ad-- have told multiple media outlets-- including the liberal
web site Mother Jones, that they had no idea they were going to be a part of a
political ad-- and that their problems with the company had nothing to do with
McAuliffe.

The ad is paid for
directly by the Cuccinelli campaign.

The Cuccinelli campaign
stands by the facts in the ad. Top adviser Chris LaCivita said the people
interviewed signed waivers agreeing for the interviews to be used in a number
of different ways.

Despite calls from the McAuliffe campaign to
pull the ad, the Cuccinelli team said the ad will quote "run it's
course."